Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier is a gripping tale of love, jealousy, and mystery. This classic novel has captivated readers for decades with its haunting atmosphere and unforgettable characters. In this post, we’ll explore the Rebecca Book Summary, key details, character insights, and a brief review to help you understand why this novel remains a literary masterpiece. Whether you’ve read it or are discovering it for the first time, this summary will give you a clear glimpse into the world of Manderley and the secrets that lie within.
Rebecca Book Details
- Title: Rebecca
- Author: Daphne du Maurier
- Genre: Gothic fiction, Mystery, Psychological thriller, Romance
- Published Date: August 1938
- Publisher: Victor Gollancz Ltd (UK)
- Pages: Approximately 400 pages (varies by edition)
- Language: English
- ISBN: Varies by edition
- Setting: Manderley estate, Cornwall, England
- Narrative Style: First-person perspective (unnamed narrator)
- Time: Early 20th century
- Literary Style: Gothic and suspenseful with vivid descriptions
Themes:
- Love and obsession
- Jealousy and insecurity
- Identity and self-worth
- Social class differences
- Mystery and deception
Awards and Recognition:
- Selected for the Modern Library’s 100 Best Novels
- Anthony Award for Best Novel of the Century (2000)
Adaptations:
- 1940: Alfred Hitchcock’s Oscar-winning film adaptation
- 2020: Netflix adaptation starring Lily James and Armie Hammer
- Numerous stage plays, radio adaptations, and TV series
Rebecca-Themes
Love and Obsession: The story shows how love can turn into control and jealousy, especially with Maxim’s feelings for his late wife, Rebecca.
Jealousy and Insecurity: The narrator feels small and unworthy, always comparing herself to the perfect image of Rebecca.
Identity and Self-Worth: The narrator struggles to find her place and feels lost without a strong sense of who she is.
Power and Control: Rebecca, even in death, controls the lives and feelings of those around her.
Secrets and Lies: The novel is filled with hidden truths, showing how lies can ruin lives.
Social Class and Status: The story highlights the divide between the rich and the working class, with strict rules on behavior and appearance.
Guilt and Justice: Maxim’s actions and the fear of being caught drive much of the tension, raising questions about right and wrong.
Characters in Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
- The Narrator: A shy, young woman who marries Maxim de Winter. She struggles with self-doubt and feels haunted by Rebecca’s memory.
- Maxim de Winter: The wealthy owner of Manderley. He is reserved and hides a dark secret about his first wife’s death.
- Rebecca de Winter: Maxim’s first wife. Beautiful, charming, but cruel and deceitful. Her presence lingers even after death.
- Mrs. Danvers: The housekeeper at Manderley. She is cold, controlling, and obsessed with Rebecca, making life hard for the new Mrs. de Winter.
- Jack Favell: Rebecca’s cousin and secret lover. He is selfish and tries to blackmail Maxim.
- Frank Crawley: Maxim’s loyal friend and manager of Manderley. He is kind and supportive to the narrator.
- Beatrice Lacy: Maxim’s sister. She is blunt but caring and tries to help the narrator feel welcome.
- Colonel Julyan: The local magistrate. He leads the investigation into Rebecca’s death.
- Dr. Baker: A doctor who reveals Rebecca was terminally ill, which changes the course of the investigation.
Rebecca Book Summary
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier is a story of love, mystery, and jealousy. It begins with the famous line, “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again,” as the narrator looks back on her past. She is a shy, young woman working as a companion to the wealthy Mrs. Van Hopper. During a trip to Monte Carlo, she meets Maxim de Winter, a rich widower who recently lost his wife, Rebecca. Despite their differences in age and background, Maxim surprises her with a marriage proposal. She accepts, and they return to his grand estate, Manderley.
At Manderley, the narrator feels out of place and uncomfortable. The housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, is cold and intimidating, making her feel unwanted. Mrs. Danvers was deeply devoted to Rebecca, Maxim’s first wife, and constantly compares the narrator to her. The narrator becomes obsessed with Rebecca’s memory, feeling that she can never live up to her charm, beauty, and elegance. Everything at Manderley seems to remind her of Rebecca, from the rooms to the gardens.
The narrator’s insecurities grow worse after a ball at Manderley. She wears a dress that Mrs. Danvers suggests, only to find out it was the same outfit Rebecca wore at a previous party. Maxim becomes angry, and the narrator feels humiliated. Mrs. Danvers, seeing her distress, tries to push her to jump out of a window, telling her that everyone wishes Rebecca were still alive.
The story takes a dark turn when a shipwreck near Manderley leads to the discovery of Rebecca’s sunken boat—with her body inside. This shocks the narrator because Maxim had told her that Rebecca died in a boating accident and was already buried. Maxim finally reveals the truth: he never loved Rebecca. She was cruel and manipulative, living a double life with affairs and lies. On the night of her death, they argued, and she claimed to be pregnant with another man’s child. In anger, Maxim shot her and sank her boat to hide the crime.
Hearing this, the narrator realizes Maxim loves her and not Rebecca. Her feelings of jealousy and insecurity vanish, replaced by loyalty and determination to stand by him. An investigation follows, but Rebecca’s death is ruled a suicide because her doctor reveals that she had cancer and only months to live. It seems that Rebecca tricked Maxim, knowing he might kill her and face punishment.
However, the story does not end happily. As Maxim and the narrator return to Manderley, they see it burning in the distance. Mrs. Danvers, in a final act of madness and devotion to Rebecca, has set the estate on fire and disappeared.
The novel ends with the ruins of Manderley, symbolizing the destruction of the past and the start of a new life for the narrator and Maxim, free from Rebecca’s shadow.
Rebecca Book Review
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier is a masterpiece of gothic fiction that blends romance, mystery, and psychological drama. The novel stands out for its dark, atmospheric setting and complex characters. Manderley, the grand estate, feels like a character itself, filled with secrets and shadows. Du Maurier’s writing is rich and detailed, pulling readers into the eerie world of the narrator’s insecurities and fears.
The characters are layered and unforgettable. The narrator, whose name we never learn, feels real with her self-doubt and struggles to find her place. Maxim de Winter is cold and caring, hiding a dark secret behind his reserved nature. But it’s Mrs. Danvers steals the show—her obsession with Rebecca brings chilling tension to every scene.
The novel’s greatest strength is how it builds suspense. From the very first line, there is a sense of doom that grows stronger with every chapter. The twist, when Maxim confesses the truth about Rebecca, is shocking and changes everything we thought we knew. Du Maurier plays with our emotions, making us question love, morality, and justice.
However, Rebecca is not without flaws. The slow pacing in the beginning may test some readers’ patience. The narrator’s constant self-doubt can sometimes feel frustrating but it also makes her growth more powerful. Some may find the ending unsettling, as there is no clear happy resolution—only destruction and a sense of loss.
Despite these points, Rebecca is a timeless novel that stays with you long after you finish it. It is a must-read for fans of gothic literature and psychological thrillers. Du Maurier’s ability to create tension and explore deep emotions makes this book a classic that continues to captivate readers.
What is the main theme of Rebecca?
The main theme of Rebecca is jealousy and obsession, shown through the narrator’s insecurity about Rebecca and Mrs. Danvers’ unhealthy devotion to her. The novel also explores love, deception, and the struggle for identity.
What is the moral of the story of Rebecca?
The moral of Rebecca is that appearances can be deceiving, and obsession with the past can destroy the present. It also teaches that true love is built on honesty, not perfection or social status.
What is the message of Rebecca?
The message of Rebecca is that living in someone else’s shadow can lead to self-destruction. It also highlights how secrets, lies, and obsession with the past can ruin lives, while honesty and self-acceptance bring freedom.
Is Rebecca the book based on a true story?
No, Rebecca is a work of fiction, but Daphne du Maurier was inspired by her life experiences and a real house called Menabilly in Cornwall.
What is the story behind Rebecca?
Rebecca tells the story of a young woman who marries wealthy widower Maxim de Winter and moves to his estate, Manderley. She feels haunted by the memory of his first wife, Rebecca, whose presence lingers everywhere. As secrets unfold, she discovers that Rebecca is not the perfect woman everyone believes, and Maxim’s dark past changes everything.
Did Maxim love his second wife?
Yes, Maxim truly loved his second wife. Unlike his cold, false marriage with Rebecca, his feelings for the narrator were genuine, though he struggled to express them.
What type of character is Rebecca?
Rebecca is manipulative, deceitful, and selfish. She appears perfect to the outside world but is cruel, unfaithful, and morally corrupt in private.
What is the point of view of Rebecca?
The point of view of Rebecca is first-person, narrated by the unnamed second Mrs. de Winter.
